Go-Ahead is continuing its support for action to tackle climate change by sponsoring an event at the upcoming global COP26 summit in Glasgow.
The Green Zone event ‘People make transport: communities enabling greener travel’ on Wednesday 10 November embraces the need to shift reliance away from private cars, making public and community transport, walking, cycling and shared mobility the natural choice. It is hosted by the Sustainable Transport Alliance, a network of NGOs supporting active travel, public transport and shared mobility. DfT Minister Trudy Harrison is the keynote speaker.
Go-Ahead launched its own Climate Change Strategy earlier this year, setting ambitious targets to achieve a 75% cut in emissions by 2035 and become a net zero company by 2045. The company views achieving modal shift away from car use as the biggest contribution the company can make to wider efforts to address climate change. Cars account for 55% of all transport emissions, with just 3% from bus and 1% from rail.
Martin Dean, Managing Director Business Development, said: “Amidst the many vital discussions that will be taking place at COP26 next month, the need to enable changes to the way people move around is an issue that can’t be ignored. We are pleased to support an event that showcases where change is already happening, and discusses what more could be done.
“The actions we take as operators, working with our communities, need to be matched by a shift in transport policy – towards encouraging people to walk or cycle where possible, use buses and trains as an alternative, but only use a car if absolutely necessary.”
The event at COP26 is chaired by Sustrans CEO Xavier Brice, and features a presentation by Richard Dilks of CoMoUK and a response by Patrick Harvie MSP, Scottish Minister for Active Travel. Martin Dean will join the panel discussion alongside Cllr Anna Richardson, Jools Townsend and Professor Greg Marsden. The event will be streamed live over the COP26 YouTube channel.
Last week Go-Ahead hosted the London launch of Road to Renewables, an electric bus tour to COP26 involving an SSE led partnership. The double decker zero emission bus has also visited our Oxford Bus Company, Go North West and Go North East companies en route to arriving in Glasgow on Friday 29 October.
